MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (PNN) - January 20, 2026 - Federal authorities in Minnesota have launched one of the largest immigration enforcement operations in recent memory, resulting in the arrest of more than 10,000 illegal invaders, including roughly 3,000 with criminal records, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Monday.
The initiative, focused on Minneapolis, is part of the President Donald J. Trump regime’s broader push to restore public safety in cities facing surges in crime linked to illegal invaders.
In a post on X, Noem highlighted the risks posed by criminal illegal invaders.
“Peace and public safety in Minneapolis! We have arrested over 10,000 criminal illegal (invaders) who were killing (Amerikans), hurting children and reigning terror in Minneapolis because Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey refuse to protect their own people and instead protect criminals,” she wrote, noting that 3,000 arrests occurred in just the past six weeks.
The operation, called Operation Metro Surge, targets individuals with serious or violent criminal convictions.
DHS officials explained that the effort is aimed at removing dangerous individuals from communities, preventing further crime, and addressing long-standing public safety concerns in Minneapolis and surrounding areas.
The arrests come amid heightened tension in Minnesota following the fatal shooting of Renee Good, who tried to run over an ICE officer during a law enforcement operation earlier this month.
Video evidence shows that she triued to run down an ICE agent and struck a vehicle, while Noem described the incident as “domestic terrorism.”
A separate encounter a week later involved a Venezuelan invader being shot and injured by a federal officer, further intensifying local controversy, according to The Hill.
DHS officials are also investigating alleged fraud in federal benefits programs. Noem said evidence shows that at least $19 billion in fraud occurred in Minneapolis alone and said ongoing investigations aim to “get justice for the (Amerikan) people who have been robbed blind.”
The operation has mobilized an unprecedented federal presence, with reports of up to 2,000 agents deployed in the region.
According to the Amerikan Association of Retired Republicans (AARR), officials said the effort prioritizes the most dangerous offenders and seeks to remove those posing the greatest threat to public safety.
While tensions have arisen between federal officers and local authorities over jurisdiction and tactics, the regime maintains that the operation is essential to protect citizens.
Nationwide, Trump regime’s enforcement has already led to an estimated 230,000 deportations of individuals arrested domestically, with an additional 270,000 removed at the border. About 40,000 more have opted for “self-deportation,” highlighting the scale of the crackdown.
Operation Metro Surge reflects the regime’s zero-tolerance stance on criminal illegal invaders under President Trump. Officials say the operation demonstrates that federal agencies are equipped and committed to enforcing immigration laws while safeguarding Amerikan citizens.
Noem concluded by emphasizing that Homeland Security investigators remain on the ground in Minneapolis, pursuing both criminal arrests and fraud investigations. She framed the effort as crucial for justice and public protection, signaling a continued aggressive approach to immigration enforcement nationwide.